Plenty of Hope for Newcastle

Moderate racing under both codes today but two experienced handicappers get my each-way vote. Turning the Table was a 4/1 (SP) winner at Windsor last night.

Newcastle 3.10: Bollihope

After a really encouraging return to the track on turf at Wetherby last week, Bollihope should relish another visit to Newcastle where he is building up a decent record on the new sand surface.

He won on his first three visits to the course since the new surface was laid – all at this 10f trip and was beaten less than a length on his final run here in January. He has relatively few miles on the clock for a 5yo and so should still be able to cope with his new mark of 73.

He did well enough from that new rating last week – finishing off strongly over an inadequate mile to finish 5th of 16, but back to his favoured trip and track he looks each-way value against the short priced favourite.

Brighton 3.50: Bridge of Sighs

A horse I have followed regularly over the past year or so, I am keeping the faith with Bridge of Sighs on his return to Brighton.

The 5yo was a winner on his only previous visit to the track in September and he could be one of those horses that responds best to a quirky course like Brighton. Prior to that win here, all his best form had come on sand, but he is something of a hostage to fortune on the All Weather as he needs a strong pace to help his natural hold up style to come into play.

As a result he was disappointing off a slowish gallop at Lingfield last time, but I am sure this longer straight and uphill finish will play to his strengths and he is only 1lb higher than for that win here, whilst the drying ground is a bonus as well.